Tom Barnes's Blog: Tom's 'RocktheTower' Blog - Posts Tagged "fire"
Tombstone Court and Duke Spots Fillmore Fire
During the next several blog postings I plan to use excerpts from 'Doc Holliday's Road to Tombstone' take you inside Judge Wells Spicer's courtroom and let you hear from the people that were actually there in 1881. You'll get it straight from the witnesses, attorney's and the judge as well as Doc and Wyatt's take on the proceedings.
Monday, October 31, 1881
Judge Wells Spicer walked into his courtroom at exactly three o'clock and one glance at the spectators in the room told him he had a problem. The judge had ruled that the hearing would be closed to the public. But from what he could see the order was being disregarded. The first two rows of the gallery were filled with backup lawyers, assistants and a few hangers on. He also recognized several members of the press that had apparently lied their way past the bailiff. It caused him some concern, but for the time being, he decided to ignore it.
Doc and Wyatt sat at the defense table wedged in between Tom Fitch and T.J. Drum. Beads of sweat appeared on Doc's forehead and he nervously toyed with a pencil and began to doodle on a note pad.
Ike Clanton was at the prosecution table, his personal lawyer, Ben Goodrich to his right, District Attorney Price and his chief assistant, Earl Smith, was at the left end of the table. Doc sensed a more than confidant; you might even call it a cocky air coming from the prosecutions side.
Judge Spicer rapped his gavel and called, "Order in the court. Court is now in session."
And with those words E. J. Risley, the court reporter began taking notes.
Judge Spicer said, “Papers have been filed with this court entitled: Arizona Territory Vs Earp’s and Holliday. Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan Earp and J.H. Holliday are charged with the wanton and willful killing of Frank McLowry, Tom Mc Lowry and Billy Clanton. This hearing has been called in order to examine those charges.”
Judge Spicer then nodded toward the district attorney and said, “I believe the first witness is to be Dr. H. M. Mathews. Dr. Matthews, would you please take the stand."
A bushy browed man in his early fifties wearing a rumpled gray suit and horn-rimmed glasses walked forward. The gentleman was sworn in by the clerk and took a seat in the witness box.
District Attorney Price got up from his chair and walked to a position in front of the witness. "Would you please tell the court your name and what position you hold in the community?
"My name is H. M. Matthews, I am a practicing physician, and Coroner of Cochise County.”
Price then asked, "Where were you on the 26th of October, 1881?”
"I was in the town of Tombstone on that day.”
"Did you see or were you made aware of a difficulty that occurred between the Earps and Holliday and the Clantons and McLowry’s on that day?"
"I was notified of the affray. I did not see it."
(Excerpts from Judge Spicer's court to be continued)
Excerpt 'The Goring Collection.'
The irony of it all was that during that period, of evaluation and soul searching, the KGB assigned a new contact code-name Isaac. Their first meeting was set for Fisherman’s Wharf. When Jacob got there, he broke into a wide smile as he hurried across the room. Then he stood for a moment before grabbing Alexei's hand and pulling him into a bear hug. "How did you arrange this?" Jacob asked. But even before Alexei spoke, he felt a chill in the air. Something was wrong.
"I had nothing to do with the arrangement." Then the heavyset Alexei said bluntly. "Someone higher up suggested that I have a talk with you, Jacob."
"About what?" Jacob asked incredulously.
Alexei sat for a long moment chewing on the stub of an unlit cigar. "Your dedication to the cause, Jacob."
"What? How can you say a thing like that?" Jacob said as his stomach churned and he thought they must have been reading my mind.
"Jacob, I'm only telling you what has been reported to the top. None of us live in a vacuum. We are always watched and monitored. There are reports that your lectures both in the classroom and on the circuit are becoming something less than effective.” Alexei chuckled, “Some believe that the ideology has become contaminated by your Western experience."
"That's an outrageous lie, Alexei," Jacob said without conviction.
"It's not for me to say, Jacob." Then Alexei moved closer. "Now this is not official, but I believe Moscow is very close to a decision."
"A decision? About what?" Jacob demanded.
"To have you recalled to Moscow, for reevaluation, and your pallid lectures are only one part of your problem."
"What do you mean?"
With riveting eyes and a harsh whisper Alexei explained. "There is a rumor floating about that suggests that you may have turned.”
"My God!"
"Well, I wouldn't know any thing about that," Alexei said with mock humor
(To be continued)
Writers Notebook:
Duke Howard Actor, Writer and Fire Spotter.
Fire spotters are the first to sound the warning of possible tragedy. The beginning of the fire presently burning in the Fillmore and Moorepark area of Southern California as told by Duke Howard.
'The view from that fire tower is magnificent; the expansiveness must be close to 25 miles or maybe more. I have seen condors, golden eagles, falcons, etc. It is great for a bird watcher. The Crows and Falcons fly and float on the up drafts and gusts wind which swirls about 10 miles an hour. I have my table set up where I can write my book and also observe the South East and West for smoke. It was while I was called away to identify a Red Shouldered Hawk for my team leader when the fire started. While identifying the hawk I scoped out a pair of Prairie Falcons dueling with Crows when I followed the falcons south I saw the beginning of the smoke. It was rising from the mountains over Fillmore. The three of us viewed then the other two swung into action Cheryl got on the Osborne Fire Finder to find the Location. Once determined, our team leader called it into the dispatcher. By the time we finished, the fire was gaining, gobbling up the earth,and looking definitely out of control. Two scoopers arrived on the scene from scooping out water from Lake Piru. They laid down a barrier of water. For a moment, it stopped the fire in it raging, but it started up again. Then the DC 10 appeared and dropped its fire retardant, but for every time they thought they had it under control it started up. It was if we were watching a fight, for every punch the planes threw and hit the fire sending it to the canvass, it would take a count and rise to fight again. This was still going on when we finished our shift. The planes could not throw enough punches or a knock out punch that day. They could not subdue the fire. The fire refused to stay down. What a fight and what a moment...'
Tom Barnes Actor, Writer and Hurricane Hunter: Check out my website for books, blogs, western legends, a literary icon, reviews and interviews. Also my novels The Goring Collection and Doc Holliday’s Road to Tombstone along with a non fiction remembrance of The Hurricane Hunters and Lost in the Bermuda Triangle.
www.tombarnes39.com
www.RocktheTower.com
http://TheHurricaneHunter.blogspot.com
Monday, October 31, 1881
Judge Wells Spicer walked into his courtroom at exactly three o'clock and one glance at the spectators in the room told him he had a problem. The judge had ruled that the hearing would be closed to the public. But from what he could see the order was being disregarded. The first two rows of the gallery were filled with backup lawyers, assistants and a few hangers on. He also recognized several members of the press that had apparently lied their way past the bailiff. It caused him some concern, but for the time being, he decided to ignore it.
Doc and Wyatt sat at the defense table wedged in between Tom Fitch and T.J. Drum. Beads of sweat appeared on Doc's forehead and he nervously toyed with a pencil and began to doodle on a note pad.
Ike Clanton was at the prosecution table, his personal lawyer, Ben Goodrich to his right, District Attorney Price and his chief assistant, Earl Smith, was at the left end of the table. Doc sensed a more than confidant; you might even call it a cocky air coming from the prosecutions side.
Judge Spicer rapped his gavel and called, "Order in the court. Court is now in session."
And with those words E. J. Risley, the court reporter began taking notes.
Judge Spicer said, “Papers have been filed with this court entitled: Arizona Territory Vs Earp’s and Holliday. Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan Earp and J.H. Holliday are charged with the wanton and willful killing of Frank McLowry, Tom Mc Lowry and Billy Clanton. This hearing has been called in order to examine those charges.”
Judge Spicer then nodded toward the district attorney and said, “I believe the first witness is to be Dr. H. M. Mathews. Dr. Matthews, would you please take the stand."
A bushy browed man in his early fifties wearing a rumpled gray suit and horn-rimmed glasses walked forward. The gentleman was sworn in by the clerk and took a seat in the witness box.
District Attorney Price got up from his chair and walked to a position in front of the witness. "Would you please tell the court your name and what position you hold in the community?
"My name is H. M. Matthews, I am a practicing physician, and Coroner of Cochise County.”
Price then asked, "Where were you on the 26th of October, 1881?”
"I was in the town of Tombstone on that day.”
"Did you see or were you made aware of a difficulty that occurred between the Earps and Holliday and the Clantons and McLowry’s on that day?"
"I was notified of the affray. I did not see it."
(Excerpts from Judge Spicer's court to be continued)
Excerpt 'The Goring Collection.'
The irony of it all was that during that period, of evaluation and soul searching, the KGB assigned a new contact code-name Isaac. Their first meeting was set for Fisherman’s Wharf. When Jacob got there, he broke into a wide smile as he hurried across the room. Then he stood for a moment before grabbing Alexei's hand and pulling him into a bear hug. "How did you arrange this?" Jacob asked. But even before Alexei spoke, he felt a chill in the air. Something was wrong.
"I had nothing to do with the arrangement." Then the heavyset Alexei said bluntly. "Someone higher up suggested that I have a talk with you, Jacob."
"About what?" Jacob asked incredulously.
Alexei sat for a long moment chewing on the stub of an unlit cigar. "Your dedication to the cause, Jacob."
"What? How can you say a thing like that?" Jacob said as his stomach churned and he thought they must have been reading my mind.
"Jacob, I'm only telling you what has been reported to the top. None of us live in a vacuum. We are always watched and monitored. There are reports that your lectures both in the classroom and on the circuit are becoming something less than effective.” Alexei chuckled, “Some believe that the ideology has become contaminated by your Western experience."
"That's an outrageous lie, Alexei," Jacob said without conviction.
"It's not for me to say, Jacob." Then Alexei moved closer. "Now this is not official, but I believe Moscow is very close to a decision."
"A decision? About what?" Jacob demanded.
"To have you recalled to Moscow, for reevaluation, and your pallid lectures are only one part of your problem."
"What do you mean?"
With riveting eyes and a harsh whisper Alexei explained. "There is a rumor floating about that suggests that you may have turned.”
"My God!"
"Well, I wouldn't know any thing about that," Alexei said with mock humor
(To be continued)
Writers Notebook:
Duke Howard Actor, Writer and Fire Spotter.
Fire spotters are the first to sound the warning of possible tragedy. The beginning of the fire presently burning in the Fillmore and Moorepark area of Southern California as told by Duke Howard.
'The view from that fire tower is magnificent; the expansiveness must be close to 25 miles or maybe more. I have seen condors, golden eagles, falcons, etc. It is great for a bird watcher. The Crows and Falcons fly and float on the up drafts and gusts wind which swirls about 10 miles an hour. I have my table set up where I can write my book and also observe the South East and West for smoke. It was while I was called away to identify a Red Shouldered Hawk for my team leader when the fire started. While identifying the hawk I scoped out a pair of Prairie Falcons dueling with Crows when I followed the falcons south I saw the beginning of the smoke. It was rising from the mountains over Fillmore. The three of us viewed then the other two swung into action Cheryl got on the Osborne Fire Finder to find the Location. Once determined, our team leader called it into the dispatcher. By the time we finished, the fire was gaining, gobbling up the earth,and looking definitely out of control. Two scoopers arrived on the scene from scooping out water from Lake Piru. They laid down a barrier of water. For a moment, it stopped the fire in it raging, but it started up again. Then the DC 10 appeared and dropped its fire retardant, but for every time they thought they had it under control it started up. It was if we were watching a fight, for every punch the planes threw and hit the fire sending it to the canvass, it would take a count and rise to fight again. This was still going on when we finished our shift. The planes could not throw enough punches or a knock out punch that day. They could not subdue the fire. The fire refused to stay down. What a fight and what a moment...'
Tom Barnes Actor, Writer and Hurricane Hunter: Check out my website for books, blogs, western legends, a literary icon, reviews and interviews. Also my novels The Goring Collection and Doc Holliday’s Road to Tombstone along with a non fiction remembrance of The Hurricane Hunters and Lost in the Bermuda Triangle.
www.tombarnes39.com
www.RocktheTower.com
http://TheHurricaneHunter.blogspot.com
Tom's 'RocktheTower' Blog
I do a variety blog and post every Wednesday. I am an actor, writer and hurricane hunter and my subjects are generally written about those fields. During Hurricane Season I do at least one story every
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